Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works/Water Wastewater Committee met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Garfield, Muench, Brault, Petersen, Dewitt. Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier

ABSENT: Alderman Pence

GUESTS: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor, Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 7:30 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

Test Wells: still waiting on the IEPA permit that was mailed

Lead Service Line Inventory Grant: 1 lead service has been found on 4th St during potholing this is on the schedule to get replaced

Watermain Breaks: 901 N Chicago 4” on 4/16/25 and 614 N Virginia St 4” on 4/16/25 Source Water Protection Plan: This has been approved

Belmont & 6th St: scheduled for June 2025, preconstruction meeting to be held 5/22/25 Brianna to Sycamore 12” Water Main: working on rights of way agreements, work expected to start June 2025 by city employees

Wastewater Treatment Plant: Loren stated he is looking into a Smart BPR System for phosphorus removal, this is going to be about a 3-year project to complete at a cost of about $150,000 to $200,000 per year. The 3 stainless steel slide gates have been ordered. Sanitary & Storm Sewers: Resident paid for a new tap at 409 E Walnut St. OSLAD Grant: Design work has started

Parks: Pond pumps have been installed, and ponds treated for weed control Streets: MFT heat and recycle Gallagher will be back June 3 to apply the 2nd FOG coat Martin Ave Extension: Sidewalk work has started. Loren stated the road should be in by the middle of June.

Road Projects: TIF 3 funds-approved IPC bid-preconstruction meeting scheduled for 5/22/25. Loren gave the committee an estimated costs worksheet for Oak St from 5th to 8th at a cost of $284,359.80 and Cherry St from 5th to 8th for a cost $284,541.73 for work to be done in 2026. Loren stated some of those costs can be reduced as public works can do the sidewalk portion. Alderman Brault asked about adding in Short St to the Cherry St costs.

There was discussion about MFT funds, none of these funds will be used this year so that will leave about $400,000 to use next year. Loren would like to move forward with the engineering for these 2 streets. Keith with Robinson Engineering stated the state has come up with $400 million for municipalities to apply for and these 2 streets would be good shovel ready projects and if the design portion is done the city would get more points and if the city didn’t receive the money, we could still move forward with the projects using city funds. There was a lengthy discussion about more streets needing work on the south side of the city.

Miscellaneous: 6 yards of concrete ordered for sidewalk repairs at miscellaneous locations, power was run to the pool concession stand and it’s ready to operate for the season.

Equipment: Loren is looking at getting prices for a new truck 2025-2026 this will be put in the budget. He will be trading in a 2009 Ford F250 with 90,000 miles on it

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 8:25 and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4141